South Jersey public agency ends practice of paying workers extra for showing up on time

Star-Ledger file photoA ship is loaded in Camden.The South Jersey Port Corporation's board eliminated the 40-year practice that allowed workers to convert vacation and sick days to cash.

CAMDEN — Acting on orders from Gov. Chris Christie, the South Jersey Port Corp. is no longer awarding bonuses to workers who show up on time.

The agency's board eliminated giving a day's pay for every two consecutive months that workers showed up no more than 30 minutes late. The board also ended the 40-year practice that allowed workers to convert vacation and sick days to cash.

Tuesday's vote applies to 29 nonunion workers. However, the perks are expected to be struck from the next contract for 59 union workers.

Deborah L. Gramiccioni, director of the state unit that monitors authorities such as SJPC, told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill employees "who simply come to work as scheduled" should not be rewarded.

The agency also planned to eliminate giving free TVs to union employees at the Broadway or Beckett Street terminals who work four years with no accidents.